Method and Apparatus For Improved Wound Healing and Enhancement of Rehabilitation

Abstract

Methods and a device for improving wound healing and for improving the effects of rehabilitative therapies in patients with cognitive and motor deficits are provided. Repeated regimens of remote ischemic conditioning are performed. Markers of ischemia are monitored in the tissue. The remote ischemic conditioning regimen may be adjusted based on the monitoring results. The remote ischemic conditioning regimen can be performed at a hospital, medical clinic, healthcare facility, or at a subject's home.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for improving wound healing by ischemic conditioning treatments comprising:
 a) measuring one or more baseline hemodynamic parameters of a subject;   b) applying an ischemic conditioning regimen on the subject comprising one or more ischemic conditioning treatments performed on one or more days; and   c) measuring post-ischemic parameters in the subject.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the wound is anticipated to be caused by one or more conditions from the group consisting of: surgical operation, physical or chemical injuries, or pressure sores. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein ischemic conditioning is applied directly to the tissue subject to injury, or on tissue remote from an injury. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the ischemic conditioning is performed between 72 to 24 hours before the anticipated injury, within 1 hour before the anticipated injury, or both. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the ischemic conditioning is performed during the time period that a wound is created. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the ischemic conditioning is performed between 30 seconds to 24 hours after a wound is created. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein ischemic conditioning treatments are performed periodically on multiple days over a time period from about 3 days to about 6 months. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein ischemic conditioning is performed at a hospital, medical clinic, healthcare facility, at a subject's home, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein ischemic conditioning is performed using a cuff-based system, one or more pressurizable garments, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein ischemic conditioning is performed directly on the tissue using a pressurizable bed mattress capable of applying localized pressure and causing ischemia. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , combined with other methods of wound care. 
     
     
         12 . A method for improving rehabilitative therapy by ischemic conditioning treatments comprising:
 a) measuring one or more baseline hemodynamic parameters of a subject;   b) applying an ischemic conditioning regimen on the subject comprising one or more ischemic conditioning treatments performed on one or more days; and   c) measuring post-ischemic parameters in the subject.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the subject has one or more deficits from the group consisting of: cognitive impairment, motor weakness, sensory impairment, and other physical or neurological impairments. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein ischemic conditioning is applied directly to an impaired limb or body area, or remote from the impaired limb or body area. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein ischemic conditioning treatments are performed periodically on multiple days over a time period from about 3 days to about 12 months. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein ischemic conditioning is performed at a hospital, medical clinic, healthcare facility, at a subject's home, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein ischemic conditioning comprises performing using a cuff-based system, one or more pressurizable garments, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein ischemic conditioning is performed on the tissue using a pressurizable bed apparatus capable of applying localized pressure and causing ischemia. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12 , combined with other rehabilitative therapies. 
     
     
         20 . A device for improving wound healing comprising a system for creating localized vascular occlusion and reperfusion; and a control device for controlling vascular occlusion and reperfusion in accordance with a schedule for ischemic conditioning treatments comprising a repeated combination of temporary vascular occlusion and reperfusion. 
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 20 , wherein the system for eliciting localized vascular occlusion comprises one or more elements from the group consisting of inflatable limb cuffs, pressurizable garments, and a pressurizable bed mattress capable of applying localized pressure to contacted skin and causing ischemia. 
     
     
         22 . A device for improving rehabilitative therapy comprising a system for creating localized vascular occlusion and reperfusion; and a control device for controlling vascular occlusion and reperfusion in accordance with a schedule for ischemic conditioning treatments comprising a repeated combination of temporary vascular occlusion and reperfusion. 
     
     
         23 . The device of  claim 22 , wherein the system for creating localized vascular occlusion comprises one or more elements from the group consisting of inflatable limb cuffs, pressurizable garments, and a pressurizable bed mattress capable of applying localized pressure to contacted skin and causing ischemia.